I 467 

;6 
•py 1 



THE 

PRESERVATION 

OF 

WOOD, STEEL AND 

GALVANIZED 

SURFACES 




* • « * L n.i2t « * • « 

PRESERVATION 

OF 

WOOD, STEEL ^ GALVANIZED 
SURFACES. 

.^ 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Goheen Manufacturing Co*^ 

CANTON, OHIO, U. S, A. 



FOURTH EDITION* COPYRIGHT, J900. 



> 









57333 



%'Sil. 



Paints for Wood Surfaces* 

The object of paint is twofold : To protect the surface and incidentally to 
beautify. A good paint must spread easily, smoothly and evenly under the 
brush. It must retain its color and not change in composition when exposed to 
sun and storm or the many gases arising from the combustion of coal, etc., but 
must in short— WEAR. 

Whatever paint embodies these qualities, is a good, reliable paint, no matter 
what it may be called, let it be White Lead paint. Zinc paint or any other. If 
the manufacturer makes a paint possessing the virtues indicated, he is making 
good paint. 

There are many painters who will tell you without any hesitation, that 
White Lead and Linseed Oil make the most permanent paint for wood, for the 
simple reason they do not know any better, their knowledge of pigments being 
limited. There are, however, other pigments than White Lead which are much 
more permanent, and by a judicious combination of them with White Lead and 
Linssed Oil, a durable paint is made. By the use of modern machinery in mix- 
ing, grinding and manipulating, a uniform paint is obtained unlike the old and 
antiquated methods of hand mixing and soaking of paint pigments, indulged in 
by painters in years gone by. 

There is hundreds of tons of so called "Pure White Lead" used by painters 
every year (in some cases giving the best of satisfaction and results,) which in 
truth does not contain one particle of White Lead ; it remains therefore for the 
paint manufacturer to produce the proper working and wearing paint to suit the 
requirements, and allow the consumer to designate it by whatever name suits 
his peculiar fancy. 

The BEST known of all paint pigments is 

WHITE LEAD. 



White Lead is probably one of the oldest paint pigments known. We find 
Dioscorides four centuries before Christ, stating it was manufactured at that 
time by the exposure of metallic lead to the vapors of vinegar. Theophratus, 
Pliny and Yitruvius also speak of it being manufactured during their time. 
For years it was considered an acetate of lead and called by various names, such 
as Cerusa and Cerosa, however, in 1775 Bergman discovered the true composi- 

—3— 



tion of White Lead, viz : Basic Carbonate of Lead, which in its pure state con- 
tains 70 per cent carbonate of lead and 30 per cent hydrate of lead. The Dutch 
carried on the manufacture of this article for many years, and in fact the Old 
Dutch process of corrosion (which takes fiom 3 to 5 months to convert the me- 
tallic lead to the white lead of commerce) is still in use in the principal white 
lead factories of the world, with one or two exceptions, notably, the most suc- 
cessful, quick process of corrosion which is in use by the Carter White Lead Co. 
of Omaha and Chicago, who produce a White Lead equal, if not superior, to any 
manufactured by the "Old Dutch" process. The Dutch process is carried on in 
the following manner : The metallic lead is melted and cast into small perfor- 
ated pieces about six inches in diameter (which are called buckles) ; these buck- 
les are placed in earthen pots containing about one pint of diluted vinegar, then 
placed in layers of about 1000 pots each, the pots are covered with boards and 
tan bark. The fermentation of the tan bark combined with the vapors from the 
vinegar, corrodes the metallic lead. At the end of four to five months, corrosion 
is completed and the white substance is ground in water, dried and powdered 
and placed on the market as dry White Lead. Much of the White Lead sold as 
"Strictly Pure," "Pure," etc., is far from being pure. Adulterants of various 
kinds are used, principally Sulphate of Barium, known in commerce as Barytes. 

The common test of White Lead is with the blow pipe, by taking a piece of 
charcoal with a small depression in it, and place therein a portion of the White 
Lead and direct a flame to it by the blow pipe ; if the sample is pure, in a few 
minutes it will be reduced to a leaden mass, if, however, it is adulterated, it will 
form a Black cinder like substance. Minute quantities of adulteration can be 
shown by this test. White Lead, therefore, is not a very staple body and is 
easily changed by heat, as shown by above test, and also easily affected by 
gases ; when exposed to sulphurous vapors turning to a brownish black, being 
couverted from Carbonate of Lead to Sulphide of Lead. As a paint pigment, 
this is where its weakness occurs, being readily affected by detrimental influ- 
ences found in Coal smoke, swampy and marshy fogs and vapors. It has been 
clearly proven by long years of experience, that a mixture of Carbonate of Lead 
and oxide of zinc produce a more durable paint pigment than Carbonate of Lead 
alone. The addition of oxide of zinc makes a much firmer paint, thus better 
throwing off or repelling the detrimental agents which attack Carbonate of 
Lead, and avoiding checking, blistering and cracking of the paint. 

Unbiased practical painters agree that a carbonate of lead and oxide of zinc 
with Linseed oil produce a much more durable paint than straight lead alone ; 
Lead has easy working qualities. Zinc the spreading capacity and permanency, 
^besides zinc will carry a greater amount of oil than Carbonate of Lead, and 

—4— 



Linseed oil has a great deal to do with the diirability of paint on wood surfaces. 
About 25000 tons of Oxide of zinc are used annually for paint purposes in 
America, and its use in this direction increases every year, showing clearly that 
it has proved its qualities as a good paint pigment, when used in proper propor- 
tions. It should be understood, that Oxide of Zinc is not used to reduce the 
manufacturer's cost of the paint, as Pure Oxide of Zinc costs the manufacturer 
of prepared paints, as much as Carbonate of Lead, and if imported Zinc is used 
(which is considered much purer and whiter than American brands) the cost is 
twice that of Carbonate of Lead. 

The highly poisonous character of White Lead is probably one of 
the worst features in the use of it as a paint, more especially "on interior' 
of sleeping and living rooms, factories, etc. Many peculiar ailments 
have been directly traced to old dusty and crumbled white lead paint. 
The sanitary commissions of France have disposed entirely of the use 
of White Lead in all their painting specifications, being convinced of its 
dangerous character, after having given the matter most careful investigation 
for the last twenty years or more. As a paint pigment, white lead has certainly 
many shortcomings, and so this is equally true of oxide of zinc when applied 
alone as a paint, but a proper combination of White Lead and Oxide of Zinc 
with pure Linseed Oil, produces the best and most desirable paint for the pro- 
tection of wood surfaces. 

PRIMING OR FIRST COATING. 

Pure Linseed Oil when combined with proper pigments and colors, is ad- 
mitted to be the best and most suitable paint for painting and preserving wood. 
Linseed Oil paint of any character will not adhere to a wet surface or on un- 
seasoned wood, therefore before the paint is applied the surface should be 
thoroughly dry ; all knots and sappy places should be coated with shellac varn- 
ish to seal the rosin and pitchy matter in the wood and keep it from the paint, 
otherwise the paint will scale off. The priming or first coat is the most import- 
ant of all, as it supplies the base or foundation for subsequent coats. The more 
the first coat is brushed out, the better the wood is filled and more permanently 
will the paint adhere. Paint for priming new woodwork should contain more 
linseed oil than the subsequent coatings, but too much oil is equally as bad as 
too little in the priming of wood, and must be guarded against. In repainting, 
this same rule applies where the lumber is dry and weatherbeaten, the first coat 
in repainting should contain more linseed oil than in the subsequent coats. 
"There is a time to laugh and a time to cry," so is there a time to paint. 



Exterior painting should not be carried on in damp, frosty or foggy weather, 
good results cannot be expected from work done under these circumstances. 
New work shotild have three coats of paint and the paint brushed out, not slop- 
ped or flowed on. Good brushes and plenty of judicious elbow-grease give tne 
best results. Painting cannot be hurried and give satisfaction, time between 
coats is absolutely necessary, allowing each coat not only to dry thoroughly, but 
to harden. The use of driers should be avoided at all times in paint. Rapidly 
drying paint is not durable. There is no substitute for linseed oil ; the use of sub- 
stitute oil, turpentine, benzine, rosin and petroleum oils in paints, ruin the dura- 
bility and usefulness. Unfortunately much of the ready -mixed paint foisted on 
the unwily consumer contains many adulterations of the above class, and conse- 
quently time and money is wasted in their use. It is true economy to apply 
only good paint, it does not cost any more to apply, and once applied will give 
satisfaction, leaving a firm base for repainting. Cheap adulterated paints do 
not give a proper base for repainting, the consequence is obvious. 

A linseed oil paint will not adhere to a surface painted with coal tar or pe- 
troleum mixtures, therefore in painting work, it behooves the owner or architect 
to look carefully into the selection of his paint for first coating. 

In repainting old work, dust, grease, dirt and scaly paint should be removed 
either by scraping, washing, or burning off. Paint will not adhere to dust, 
grease or dirt. Our ready-mixed paints are made of absolutely pure materials, 
old-fashioned materials which have given implicit satisfaction for generations, 
and by long experience we have perfected the mixing, grinding, manipulating 
and selection of pigments and coloring material so as to produce durable ready- 
mixed paint. 

It somelimes occurs that a structure which requires repainting is in such 
condition that even a pure paint will not give satisfactory results when applied 
in the ordinary way. We invite correspondence in all such matters, and will 
gladly suggest the best method to pursue. Pigments containing large percent- 
ages of moisture such as ochres, metallic and earth paints should not be used in 
priming ; at all times prime with the same kind of paint to be used in finishing 
coats. 

OXIDE OF IRON 

Is much used in the form of Venetian reds, metallic brown and metallic red 
for painting and preserving wooden structures, such as factories, barns, station 
houses and freight car painting, and when properly selected, prepared, ground 
and mixed with the most suitable vehicles, gives a lasting and durable paint for 
the purpose intended. A thoroughly reliable paint is made from Pure Oxide of 

—6— 



Iron properly combined at a mach less cost than a lead or lead and zinc paint, 
although as a rule an oxide of iron paint looses its lustre much quicker than a 
lead paint, but will wear and protect just as long if not longer. Our oxide of 
iron paints in the various shades, are selected from the best imported oxides, 
and only those calculated to be in thorough unison with the medium employed 
are used, thereby giving durability and satisfaction. 

For wood painting, our Magnetic Red or Brown has proved its efficiency, 
after years of trial, as being the best of all the oxides, for true preservation. 
This is notably so in freight car work, where the paint is exposed so much, not 
only to the elements, but to the disintegrating influences of sulphur and smoke 
from locomotives and the gases in tunnels, etc. 




Two sections of a well known viaduct painted with ordinary paint, which shows the rav- 
ages of rust caused by the action of locomotive smoke. CARBONIZINQ COATING protects the 
metal under these circumstances. 



The Preservation of Iron and Steel 

Is a subject which has attracted the attention of all classes of professional men, 
as being one of the most important in modern construction. The advent of steel 
in the make-up of our large buildings, bridges, etc., and in other work, and the 
replacing of wooden structures with steel and iron, has caused no end of investi- 
gation in regard to the best practical method of protecting the same from rust 
and corrosion. It is admitted by all authorities that linseed oil is the best me- 
dium to employ as a vehicle to carry and hold the pigment in a protective paint, 
but as to the pigment to be used, we find great variance of opinion from all 
sides. Some engineers and architects favor Red Lead, others Graphite, Carbon, 
and probably the majority favor oxide of iron as the best pigment to be used in 
conjunction with linseed oil, in protecting their work from the ravages of rust 
and decay, while others do not give the matter any attention, but allow the 
contractor to use the poorest and cheapest mixture he can find under the guise 
of paint. 

Some most alarming cases of rust in our high buildings have been brought 
to light recently, and in buildings too, that have only been erected but a few 
years. It seems imperative that if steel and iron is to be used in our structures, 
that the day is not far distant, when the Engineer and Architect will have to 
pay much more attention to the protecting of it than he has done heretofore, 
and abolish the use of cheap, useless material on their work, which aggravates 
rusting and decay rather than retarding it. It is also well known that the steel as 
manufactured in structural shapes of today is a much harder body to protect from 
rust, than the iron used years ago, and consequently requires special care in the 
matter of painl. 

THE FOUNDATION OF PROTECTION 

Is cleanliness ; this is unquestionably the most important primary factor 
towards preservation. A surface to be painted must be clean, free from moist- 
ure, dirt, grease, flash scale and rust. When we say free we mean perfectly 
clean. This can be attained by the use of the "Sand Blast" which within the 
last few years has proved a most useful invention in cleaning of iron and steel 
from rust and flash scale. 

—9— 



One of the best methods of cleaning the work from shop grease is by wash- 
ing thoroughly with Soda Lye, thereafter removing the last traces of Lye with 
liberal applications of clean water, then wipe dry with cloths. Rust can also be 
effectually removed by the use of steel brushes, which readily removes all the 
loose rust, and where rust spots are deep seated, apply heat from an ordinary 
painter's torch. In a few seconds, the rust by means of the heat is converted 
into peroxide of iron, which can be easily dusted off, and in repainting old 
structures, where the paint has scaled badly, the sand blast should be used in 
removing it, or a strong solution of paint remover and combined scraping with 
steel scrapers and thorough cleansing with clean water and drying before paint- 
ing. The architect, engineer and structural builder may say, that this cleaning 
and preparatory process adds greatly to the cost of the work, but it is absolutely 
necessary to obtain the desired protection ; no paint of any character will adhere 
to a wet, greasy, rusty or dirty surface and give satisfaction — this applies to all 
paint. Red Lead, Graphite, Oxide of iron. Carbonizing Coating or any other pro- 
tective covering. Unless the surface is in proper condition to receive the paint, 
it is almost useless to throw away money on paint and painting. It is well to 
remember the fact, that quality, purity or nature of the paint or coating, will 
not lessen this cleaning or preparatory work any, it applies to all paint irrespect- 
ive of their individual durability or merits. If the shop inspectors would pay 
as much attention to this matter as they do to the other details under their 
supervision, a large percentage of repainting, after annoyance, and disappoint- 
ment, would be averted. These facts are acknowledged by practical investiga- 
tors of the subject, and it therefore behooves the Engineer and Architect, to see 
that the surface to be painted is thoroughly clean, rather than expect the paint 
manufacturer to produce some mixture that is physically and chemically an 
impossibility. 

OIL AND PIGMENTS. 

Presuming we have obtained a perfectly clean surface, let us glance at the 
various paints and pigments most commonly in use as protective coatings for 
structural work. Probably after cleanliness the most important factor is the 
vehicle or binding medium which is used to carry, hold and bind the pigment to 
the surface of the metal. Linseed Oil, Liquid japan dryer, Turpentine and 
Benzine are used less or more in the make up of ordinary paints. Asphaltum, 
Rosin oils and many other Oils (Just as good and costs less) have been tried, but 
none have proven so satisfactory, durable and economical as Chemically pre- 
pared Linseed Oil, and the purer and less contaminated the oil the better the 
coating with whatever pigment may be employed. 

—10— 



Liquid dryers, Turpentine and Benzine, are only used as aiders to the 
drying of the Oil, but to use them in connection with Linseed Oil for a 
Rustless Coating, reduces the life of the oil or the binding medium ; hence to 
the extent that Dryers, Benzine and Turpentine are used, the durability of 
the paint is reduced. A coating for structural iron and steel should not contain 
either Liquid dryer. Benzine, Turpentine or Asphaltum, but the Linseed Oil 
(which is a drying oil) should be so prepared and freed from moisture and 
slimy, fatty acids found in almost all commercially Pure Linseed Oil. The 
moisture and fatty acids in ordinary commercial Linseed Oil not only retard the 
drying, but under certain circumstances, causes disintegration of the paint. 

The difference between Commercially Pure Linseed Oil and Chemically 
pure as recognized by chemists, is as vastly different as night is to day. It is, 
beyond doubt, that Linseed Oil entering into the composition of a rustless coat- 
ing must be specially prepared for that purpose. Even small traces of fatty 
acids in Linseed Oil are suflSlcient, when exposed to the air in the form of paint, 
to become rancid and evolve liberated acids which play havoc with the integrity 
and ^life of the paint or coating ; therefore it is absolutely necessary to use 
Chemically Prepared Linseed oil. 

The pigments employed in various Iron and Steel coatings are limited in 
range, the most common are Oxide of Iron, Red Lead and Carbon in its various 
forms, such as Lampblack, Graphite, etc. Let us glance for a few minutes at 
each individually : 

OXIDE OF IRON 

Has been in use as a pigment in paints and coatings for the protection of iron 
and steel structures for many years, but under many circumstances has failed 
to lend that protection desired. The cheapness of the material and brilliancy of 
the color has tended more to its use than the durable qualities of the paint ob- 
tained from it. However "Pure Magnetic" oxide of iron containing 95 per cent 
sesqui-oxide of iron, prepared in Chemically refined Linseed Oil, gives a most 
valuable metal covering, when price is considered. Owing to the crystalization 
of Oxide of Iron, the first object of a good pigment is defeated, namely, it at- 
tacks the life of the oil. Oxide of Iron does not combine with Linseed Oil at all, 
the process of drying depending alone on the absorbtion of oxygen by the oil, in 
which the pigment assists in a purely mechanical way. One writer on the sub- 
ject of Oxide of Iron as a pigment for metal coatings, goes so far as to pronounce 
Oxide of Iron, after the most careful investigation, to be actually dangerous for 
the purpose of protection of structural work. In this we do not altogether co- 
incide, for our experience of twenty years teaches us differently. At the same 

—11— 



time it is a fact, that 95 per cent, of the Oxide of Iron paints are really injurious 
owing to the contaminations in the native oxide or adulturations used by paint 
makers. We are safe in saying that two- thirds of the Oxide of Iron paints now 
on the market contain over 5 per cent of Carbonate of Lime, and it has been 
clearly demonstrated that any paint containing over 5 per cent Carbonate ol 
Lime is freely attacked by sulphur generated by combustion of coal or other 
causes, and the paint or coating rapidly becomes disintegrated. 

It is therefore conclusive that a pigment used in the composition of a rust- 
less coating should not contain more than 5 per cent of Carbonate of Lime ; this 
is a point which is almost imperative in the make up of true protective paint. . 
The bright, clear color of many of our Oxide of Iron pigments have doubtless 
added much to the preference for Oxide of Iron as a structural paint, but our 
experience has been almost invariably that the brighter the color the less dura- 
ble the paint. 

One other noticeable feature of Oxide of Iron is, that the higher the percent- 
age of sesqui-oxide of iron contained in the Oxide the slower the paint is in dry- 
ing. This is one objection to Oxide of Iron as a pigment, for we know that the 
Oxide of Iron must contain a high percentage of sesqui-oxide to give protection, 
and we also know that a good structural paint should not contain any Liquid 
dryer, Benzine or Turpentine. 

Oxide of Iron paints give very short protection to iron or steel in the pres- 
ence of sea water ; the salts contained therein have a most pronounced effect 
upon the pigment. In many cases and under certain circumstances, tend to 
make the metal more susceptable to rust ; this fact is clearly demonstrated to 
the skeptical in the holds of many steel vessels where the paint is exposed to a 
confined atmosphere, and the chemical changes of bilage water in the lower 
section of the hold, combined with less or more drainage from the ash boxes of 
the furnaces and coal bunkers in steam vessels, not to speak of the leakage from 
various cargoes, often emit gases which are prone to kill the life of ordinary 
Oxide of Iron paint, and much the same thing takes place with our elevated 
railroads, where locomotive smoke and drainage from the engines containing 
sulphur, etc., are washed by rain over the surface painted with ordinary Oxide 
of Iron paint, — the life of which, when under those circumstances, is very short. 

One case in point : We know of a portion of an elevated railroad in New 
York City having been painted with what we presume a fair quahty of Oxide of 
Iron paint, as recently as October, 1896, and six months after painting presented 
a most deplorable appearance, and giving no protection to the work at all. A 
paint of this character is obviously without value as a protective coating under 
all circumstances. The idea propounded by many manufacturers of other than 

—12— 



Oxide of Iron paints, that Oxide of Iron is rust and consequently produces rust, 
has long since been exploded. 

Oxide of Iron is a ferric-oxide and not hydrated sesqui -oxide of iron. Fer- 
ric-oxide or oxide of iron contains about 2 per cent of water in its composition, 
while iron rust contains 24 per cent, consequently the difference in their compo- 
sition is at once apparent. "We hold a high grade of Oxide of Iron and chem- 
ically prepared Linseed Oil is a very good, durable paint, under certain circum- 
stances." 

GRAPHITE. 

Graphite as a pigment has come into use within recent years quite exten- 
sively as a protecting pigment for iron and steel from rust. The results obtained 
from Graphite paints have been anything but uniform. The various brands of 
Graphite giving entirely different results. It is claimed that the deposit of 
Graphite recently discovered in a section of Canada is the best, while those min- 
ing Graphite in Mexico, Ceylon, and various sections of the United States, each 
and all claiming superiority over one another, therefore we do not wonder at the 
varying results obtained, as the pigment, according to the miners, varies so much 
in quality. The ideas advanced by some, that Graphite, when in conjunction 
with Linseed Oil, so arranges itself on the surface of the metal like so many 
shingles on the roof of a house or the scales upon a fish, is so ridiculous that we 
hardly think it necessary to prove scientifically the absurdity of the idea. 
Graphite has never been found in a perfect state of purity, and could not in its 
pure state be used as a protective paint. While the pigment Graphite itself is 
not attacked by acids, alkalies or brine, the oil in the paint is, consequently, a 
disintegration of the coating when exposed to the action of sulphur, etc. 

It is well to remember that whatever pigment is used in a protective coat- 
ing, let it be Graphite, Red Lead, or any other ordinary paint pigment, that 
each and every molecule of the pigment is surrounded by the oil or binding 
medium and (the pigment) does not come in contact with the metal at all . 

One of the most objectionable features of Graphite paint is, that it dries too 
soft and spongy ; especially is this objectionable when used on railroad bridges, 
depots, etc., where the surface coated is exposed to flying particles from fast 
running locomotives and sand blasts which puncture the paint and lay the sur- 
face bare to deleterious agents. Many claim Graphite paint to be much more 
elastic than any other paint. That may be so, but as there is a limit to the 
brittleness of a coating, so there must be to the elasticity. Examine under a 
microscope Graphite paint mixed with Linseed Oil, and it will divulge many of 
the objectionable features of the paint. 

—13- 



Graphite has positively no acuity for Linseed Oil, therefore the many claims 
made for it are made for the pigment Graphite, and not for the mixture of Graph- 
ite and Linseed Oil, known as Graphite paint. The assertion, also, that Graph- 
ite remains elastic to the last, is in our mind erroneous, and to this we say, we 
have made thousands of gallons of Graphite paint, but when exposed side by 
side with other paints, to the rays of the sun, it loses as great a percentage of its 
elasticity as any other structural iron paint. Graphite paints frequently show 
an unbroken coating on the metal, but lacking in moisture repelhng qualities, 
underneath the film of paint, rust and corrosion have been going on just the 



RED LEAD 

Has been largely specified on structural iron work, most frequently as a first 
coat, finishing the work with one or two coats of Oxide of Iron, Graphite or 
other paints. The fact has been practically and chemically demonstrated that 
the use of pigments of high specific gravity (such as Red Lead) in first coating 
are entirely wrong, and that pigments of low specific gravity are the most sat- 
isfactory for primary coating of metal. This conclusion has been reached after 
the most elaborate experiment and research by SPENRATH, the noted French 
Technical Chemist, and many other equally high authorities on the problem of 
preservation of iron and steel. 

At the same time, it has developed that many pigments of extremely low 
specific gravities are not altogether suited for the first coatings. Red Lead dries 
too rapidly and hard, (at the expense of the oil) becoming brittle, and does not 
allow for the expansion and contraction of the metal, hence cracks appear on 
the surface, in consequence rusting takes place. There is no pigment we know 
of within the category of rustless coating pigments, which has such a marked 
effect upon the oil or binding material. Red Lead is easily attacked by gases 
generated from decaying vegetable matter and the combustion of coal. Sulphur- 
ated hydrogen or locomotive smoke rapidly changes the color of Red Lead and 
alters the chemical composition, disintegrating the paint, causing it to crimible ; 
the result being no longer a rustless coating upon the surface of the metal. 

Many mixtures of various pigments with Red Lead have been tried to retard 
the hard, rapid drying of Red Lead paint, such as "Red Lead and Lampblack," 
"Red Lead and Yellow Ochre," and many others, but have failed to produce 
the results desired ; especially is this the case in the use of ochre with Red Lead, 
for the simple reason that yellow ochre contains in its composition, moisture 
which, while retarding the rapid drying of the Red Lead paint and lending 

—14— 



more elasticity to it, the moisture therein contained under many conditions is 
freed from the ochre, and most detrimental to the metal covered with it ; in 
fact, aiding the formation of rust and corrosion under the surface of the paint 
upon the metal. 

The specific gravity of a rustless coating has doubtless a great deal to do 
vp^ith the durability of the covering. In many cases we find engineers specify- 
ing Red Lead paint, "not to weigh less than 30 pounds to the gallon,^' to be used 
upon their work, while others specify Graphite paint made up of 2 lbs. dry 
Graphite and 1 gallon Linseed Oil, the finished paint weighing about 9 lbs. to 
the gallon. In the first instance, the weight of the pigment predominates to 
such an extent that we would consider it of being very little value as a protect- 
ive paint, while on the other hand, in the Graphite paint, the weight of the oil 
or binding material predominates. A paint for IRON" and STEEL must he so 
balanced as to give the desired protection. In the case of Red Lead, 
the requisite amount of oil or binding material cannot be used, 
owing to the high gravity of the lead, and produce a desirable 
coating. Indeed, in most of the cheap paints now offered, the pig- 
ment is much greater than the binding material and just to the extent the 
pigment predominates over the oil, is the life, durability and usefulness of the 
coating curtailed. 

The cost of Red Lead and the difficulty of applying it as compared v^ith 
other just as efficient and durable paints, is reducing its use daily as a structural 
paint, combined with the fact that under many circumstances it is devoid of 
value as a rustless coating. 

MISTAKEN EXPERT TESTIMONY 
ON RED LEAD. 

Many of the trade booklets which find their way into the hands of the 
engineer and structural builder, calculating, as they do, to foist some special 
brand of paint as being the most permanent protective paint for iron and steel, 
contain theories, assertions and ideas which, to the careful reader, do not accord 
with the laws of nature, chemistry or practical demonstration. These false 
theories eminate from a want of knowledge, misunderstanding, or in an attempt 
at nulling all other coatings, save the one which they are desirous of selling. 

The testimony of others is given in substantiation of the promoter's claims 
and often they, in turn, not feeling satisfied by giving their "lifelong exper- 
ience" with the paint under question, seek to turn the laws of chemistry upside 
down to suit the situation. For instance, in pamphlets issued by combined 
manufacturers of White and Red Lead under "Red Lead and How to Use It," 

—15— 



"Concerning Red Lead," "Why and How to Use Red Lead," we find the 
testimony of what they are pleased to term ' 'expert testimony. ' ' 

Here is a sample of the "expert testimony" by a bridge engineer, who, after 
lauding the praises of Red Lead as a structural paint, goes on to assert that "A 
little spot of rust, which is Oxide of Iron, has a tendency to delvelop into a large 
rust spot, and as Oxide of Iron is merely rust mixed with Linseed Oil, etc." 
With all due deference to the long experience practically with Red Lead, the ex- 
pert testimony, as far as chemical significance is concerned, falls flat in the 
estimation of the most uninitiated student of organic or inorganic chemistry- 
know mg there is as much difference between Hydrated Sesquioxide of Iron 
(Iron Rust) and Ferric Oxide (Oxide of Iron) as there is between a wooden 
bridge and one constructed of steel. They are both certainly bridges, but differ 
entirely in their composition. Suppose, then, that one should so far forget the 
fundamental principals of chemistry and stretch his imagination so far as to em- 
brace this theory of Oxide of Iron Paint being merely Rust, then a greater and 
even more absolute fact presents itself, in that RUST (Hydrated Sesquioxide of 
Iron) when thoroughly ground and mixed with Linseed Oil cannot possibly pro- 
duce further rust. We find numerous testimonials of this character given in 
these trade pamphlets. 

We would simply ask the skeptical to procure a quantity of Iron Rust, grind 
it and mix it with Linseed Oil and apply it as a metal coating. We think that, 
without again going into the different chemical formulas of Rust and Oxide of 
Iron (the difference between Oxide of Iron and Iron Rnst) will be practically 
demonstrated. 

Another writer, in "Concerning Red Lead," says: "Red Lead, from the 
fact that it dries up Linseed Oil almost entirely by soaponification, forming a 
pure lead soap, and that there is, therefore, none of that oxidization of the oil, 
which takes place in pigments wholly inert, etc." Here, again, we find the 
laws of chemistry sacrificed to lend color to the vast superiority of Red Lead 
over other well known paints and pigments. 

The idea of Red Lead and Linseed Oil soaponif ying and forming a ' 'pure 
lead soap" is erroneous. A lead soap is white. Red Lead and Linseed Oil do 
not, when mixed together, turn white, and if an insoluble lead soap were formed 
then Red Lead paint, i. e., Red Lead and Linseed Oil, could not be dissolved 
with alkaline solutions, hut it can, therefore it is evident, without further 
argument, that soaponification does not take place, as is claimed by the manu- 
facturers of Red Lead. 

The above are samples of "expert testimony" to be found in many pamph- 
lets concerning protective paints. 

—JO— 





iTyi 



ART j!jt t :TAt>~ - et| 

III 




Three sections of 14th Street Viaduct, Denver, Colorado, 2000 tons of structural steel 
protected from RUST by CARBONIZING COATING. 



—17— 



CARBONIZING COATING. 



Manufactured Only by The Goheen Manufacturing Company, Canton, Ohio. 
Makers of Technical Paints for All Purposes. 

Carbonizing Coating has proved itself to be a paint unequalled as a protect- 
ive covering for iron and steel, giving protection under many circumstances 
where all other paint has failed. Carbonizing Coating is made with one end 
in view, namely the perfect 'protection of iron and steel from RUST, Corrosion, 
acids, alkalies, and gases. There is no special mystery or patent process con- 
nected with the manufacture of C. C, but in it, is embodied the best time tried 
pigments combined with years of experience in handling them to produce cer- 
tain results. "Carbonizing Coating" is not a "permanent" paint but will pro- 
tect iron and steel from rust and corrosion for a period of from ten to fifteen 
years on outside exposure, and its remarkable covering capacity makes it at once 
the most economical protective paint covering in use ; being a non-porous paint it 
hermetically seals the pores of the iron from all detrimental influences. Its effi- 
ciency on many of the most important steel structures in the country vouches 
for its merits as a rustless coating. 

In investigating the merits of C. C, Mr. Floyd Davis, E. M., Ph. D., Des- 
Moines, la., and Consulting Chemist to several Railroads, makes the following 
report : 

FIvOYD DAVIS, E. M., PK. D., 
Analytical and Consulting Chemist. 

Des Moines, Iowa, May 9th, 189S. 
The Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, Ohio. 

Dear Sirs :— I have completed a careful series of experiments on Carbonizing Coating, 
Graphite paint and Red Lead paint to determine their comparative merits for use in iron and 
steel structural w^ork. My results can be summed up as follows : 

First. Carbonizing Coating has much greater adhesion to iron and steel than either 
Graphite or Red Lead paint. 

Second. Sudden changes of temperature caused both the Graphite and Red Lead paint to 
crack and show minute spots of separation from the steel, but the Carbonizing Coating after 
being thus treated had no indication of cracking, and remained as firmly on the steel as before 
it was heated. 

Third. Before being heated, all the paints were impervious to water, but after they had 
been injured the Graphite and the Red Lead paint allowed water to penetrate and to coi rode 
the steel ; but the sample painted with Carbonizing Coating remained perfectly impervious to 
water and other liquids. 

—18— 



Fourth. All three paints seem about equally affected with alkalies, but the Carbonizing 
Coating and Graphite paint were apparently unaffected with strong sulphur and acid fumes. 
They were also unaffected with sulphureted hydrogen fumes, but the Red Lead was slowly 
destroyed bj^ the former and changed in color by the latter, so that the paint lost its preserv- 
ing power and could be quite easily removed from the steel. 

These experiments show that Carbonizing Coating is an excellent covering for bridges 
and other exposed structures, and is a perfect protection against the atmospheric agencies, 
changes of temperature, acid mine waters, corroding gases from smelters, and other destruct- 
ive agencies that shorten the life of steel and iron structures. It is certainly superior to 
Graphite and Red Lead paints, and has a greater adhesion for steel than other paints that are 
used. When I consider its remarkable power to withstand destructive agencies I appreciate 
fully its value as a coating for all bridges and other expensive structures connected with 
railroads. Very truly yours, 

FLOYD DAVIS. 

The covering capacity is clearly shown in the following letters : 

JONES & LAUGHLIN, Limited, 
Structural Dept. American Iron and Steel Works. 

Pittsburg, Pa., December 7, 1897. 
W. H. Woodcock, Esq., Inspecting Engineer: 

Dear Sir:— In reply to your letter of Dec. 4th, referring to Goheen Carbonizing Coating 
would say that we have used one barrel e:xclusively on two buildings erected in the mill. I 
find the covering quality remarkable, one gallon sufficient to cover a 36-inch girder 30 feet 
long. In another instance we used one-fourth gallon to cover five rivited struts about 10 feet 
long. The whole barrel covered two buildings as noted above. 1 he exact weight I am un- 
able to give you, but the details are approximately as follows: 20 to 25 columns with trusses, 
beam purlins, laterals, girders and bracing to match. The paint going twice as far as Graph- 
ite. I found also that the Coating dried quickly and seemed to enter the surface of the^teel 
well, presenting (if painted properly) a smooth, even coat. Very sincerely, 

(Signed) GEO. F. BAINB RIDGE. 

CENTRAL LEAD COMPANY, 
Flat River, Mo. 

August 19, 1897. 
Messrs. Garrells & Freeman, No. 3 Franklin Bank Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. 

Gentlemen: — In compliance with your request to state my experience with Carbonizing 
Coating purchased of you, I am glad to say that I am highly pleased with it. As regards its 
covering capacity, I found that I was able to put an excellent coat on 1500 sq. ft. of new corru- 
gated iron, making the cost only ten cents per square. I was able to cover between 300 and 
400 square feet of corrugated iron with red mineral paint costing fifty cents per gallon, mak- 
ing at best i2>^ cents per square. With half a gallon of Carbonized Coating I gave a good 
coat to 400 feet of 8 inch spiral riveted pipe. The covering was continuous and after six 
months of exposure to the moisture and heat of a mining shaft, shows no sign of rust coming 
on. Yours truly, 

(Signed) R. D. O. JOHNSON, Supt. 

THE THOMPSON MANUFACTURING CO., 
Cleveland, Ohio. 

September 27, 1897. 
The Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, Ohio: 

Gentlemen:— We had occasion to use some of your Carbonizing Coating during July, 
1897. You stated one gallon would cover at least 1,000 square feet. We painted 23,800 square 
feet steel roofing and used 19 gallons of the coating, which would average about 1,250 square 
feet to the gallon. Yours truly, 

(Signed) THOMPSON MFG. CO., 

By C. N. Thompson. 

—19— 



Carbonizing Coating has been put to many severe tests and has shown its 
usefulness. Here is a sample : 

Union Club, Victoria, B. C, Oct. ist, 1897. 
Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, O. 

Gentlemen:— I have had your Carbonizing Coating tested in the Government L,aboratory 
under severe conditions, with satisfactory results. 

(Signed) EDWARD MOHUN, 

M. Am. Soc. C. E. 
M. Can. Soc. C. E. 

SALEM WIRE NAIL CO. 

Salem, Ohio, Nov. nth, 1897. 
The Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, O. 

Gentlemen ;— Replying to your letter of loth inst. We have found the paint answered the 
purpose and seems to stand the hot copperas solution very well. -.;; -t , 

Yours truly, 
(Signed) SALKM WIRE NAIL CO., 

H. H. Sharp. 



THE CANTON ROLLING MILL CO., 
Offices: 66 Maiden Lare, New York; 511 Northern Bdg., Chicago. 

Canton, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1899. 
The Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, O.: 

Gentlemen:— In addition to our buildings being painted with your Carbonizing Coating 
we have our acid tank painted with it. After being exposed to the weather and acid for two 
yeafs, upon examination we find it just as good as the daj' it was put on. In my opinion you 
cannot recommend it too highly for work of this kind. Yours respectfully, 

(Signed) E. E. CLINE, Supt. 

We could give a long list of such experiences. Suffice it to say, if you de- 
sire the highest standard of protection on iron and steel, use CARBONIZING 
COATING, made only by 

THE GOHEEN MFG. CO., Canton, Ohio. 

On the following page is a concise paint table showing the relative cost of 
different kinds of paint used on structural iron work and quantity required for 
Bridge Work : 






-20- 



Ul 
QQ 

g 



c 
« 

s 

1 

5 


Cost per 

100 lbs. of 

Bridge, 

2 Coats. 


oo-^^cocococococococococococo 
:ooooooooooooooo 


000000000000 


poooooooooooooo 


000000000000 


1^ 


c 


issiiisiiiiiiii 


lll§llll§lll 






2 


COlOlOCOCQ^(?^COCOCO^TtHTt<Tt<^ 

ooooooooooooooo 


llllllllllll 






1 

T3 

c 

■3 
« 

1 

3 

1 

C 
I 

"a 
O 


5I 


Cj ■^■r-(C5Cv?SClO£-000<N'^?D05 

M 1 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 


COlOCDOOOC<i-*i>OCOCDO 


<2l T-((r;iCOCOiOOOO(?5lOOOi-(T:t^OO 


10i>05(M1000(??lOOi00510 
•r-l-i-l-i-l<?5C«COCOCO^ 


< 


^ 1 ^ :^ :^ 

M! ^ ^ (M CQ CO CO Tj< -^ lO 


OTi<00'^OCDC0^O050005 

^■r-l-i-(CC?COC0^10CDCDt'00 


« :THC>tot-ocooos^cooooooo 

^, T-l r-H r-1 OQ CO ^ lO CD £- 00 Ol 


COCOOiOOOGQlOOiOOOO 
i-<CQ03t)H)OC0£'00OtHC0-* 


6 

1 


C 1-H (?? CO -^ lO OC C<i T:t< £- ^ CO O lO O 


£-OCO£-^CDTHCDCOOiCOCO 
■r-(-i-li-ICQC<iCOCO'<*TtllOCO 


^ :^ ^ ::^^ 

<2 ■^^COTjHCOt-^CCO'^OCDffCJOOCO 
^ i-ii-i(?«CQCOCOxtHTt<10 


o^ooTtiocDcoi-iooiooai 

T-i,-i,-iC3:OCO^lOCDCO£-00 


.-si 


■a 
c 

M 




i>-OCOJ:--"CC^CDCOOiCOCO 
■.-iTH,-H5Q!yjCOCO^^iOCO 


t 

^ 


\« \N \W 

^;l.co^cc^;.cco^occ^^g 


OTfiOO^OOCOrHOOiOOOi 
■^T-ii-iCCiCOCOTt^lCCOCOt-OO 






iCi:-OiCQlOOO(?5lOOlCOiiO 

■'-(■r-i---He^«Mcococo^ 




i^OCOt:--i-HCD-— iCCCOOiCDCO 
■^■^T-i(MCQCOCO'<*l^lOCO 






£-O00£-W«D-^CDC00iC0C0 
i-li-4-F-lCQCviCOCO^'^lOCD 


2 


\N \W \N 

^;i.co^coS.^20^oco^^g 


0'<*OO^OCDCO-.-lOOi0005 
i-1-.-Ci-HOJCOCO^lOCOCCiXX) 


i~^ --2§g2?Si§gg§S|| 


■.-ir-i-^CQ(?5:ococo^ 


l,i §§§888S8SgSS88S 

^ 2 ^ 1-1 CQ JO Tti ic £- c: O (?3 -^ £- Oi 


^i-iT-iO^O^CCCCi^^iO 


Span 

in 
Feet. 


ooooooooooooooo* 

C^^COOOOCQ^CDOOOCQTtiy^OOO 
^^^^^C<j(MCQC^jC;?CO 


00OCQTt<CD00O0QTj<C000O 




2 

1 




•;99j o6 Xq :^93j 91 





2 c 
— « 

>» c 

.0 3 

O 

« be 



I « 
OJ - 

o 
z 



si 



o -I 

aj be 



o o 

O th 
10 



o o 10 

O 10 T-H 

o ^- • 



8 



O O CO 

0-* '-H 

CO • • 



o o 

O T-H 



00^ 

O t> rH 

10 • • 



O <?Q 

O 1-1 



O 10 £- 

O 00 r-l 

10 • • 



O 10 00 

O <^J tH 



O fc- 

o o 



000 

O 10 T-1 

10 • • 



._ I, 3 

5 = ^ 

o o o 

?»« 

o > o 

fj a. o 



o 

>>, 

-an 

4) 



C 

(0 CI. 

Son 
H O 0^ 



■tf s 



For the guidance of those desiring to specify the use of "Carbonizing 
Coating" upon their work, we append the following specifications. 

For the complete preservation of steel railroad and highway bridges and of 
metal structural work of all kinds from rust, etc., paint specifications should 
read as follows : 



PAINT SPECinCATIONS. 

1. This work shall have two coats of Carbonizing Coating (manufactured 
by The Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, Ohio,) applied to it ; the same shall be applied 
without any admixture and just as received from the manufacturer. 

2. Previous to applying the first coat of Carbonizing Coating, all the 
material shall be carefully gone over and thoroughly cleaned from Rust, Grease 
and Mill Scale, and in the case of cast iron work, the sand, etc., thoroughly re- 
moved. The metal shall be thoroughly dry at. the time of application. 

3. The first coat shall be applied in the shop under cover, and carefully 
brushed out to a smooth even coat, working carefully around rivet heads, etc. 

4. All connecting surfaces shall have one coat of Carbonizing Coating be- 
fore riveting or bolting. 

5. The metal after the priming coat shall not be shipped for at least 
twenty-four hours. Painting on cars is Positively Prohibited. 

6. All parts scratched or marred in handling must at once receive a 
second coat of paint. 

7. At least five days must elapse between first and second coats. 

8. On assembling of the material on the field before erection, it shall be 
carefully gone over, and should the Coating have been scratched, scraped or 
otherwise damaged in shipment, such places shall at once receive an application 
of the Coating. 

9. Each and every portion of the work which shall, on erection, be found to 
require changes made thereon, shall have the coating applied according to the 
foregoing. 

10. All crevices which will retain water or through which water can enter, 
must be filled with waterproof cement before the final coat of paint is applied. 

11. The same care shall be taken in second coating as in the first, and the 
application carried out, only in weather favorable for painting. 

12. We shall furnish special inspection in the matter of cleaning and 
applying the foregoing paint. 

—22— 



I 



METAL SIDING AND ROOFING PAINT 
SPECIFICATIONS* 

1 . All material shall have two coats of Carbonizing Coating applied to it, 
as manufactured by The Goheen Mfg. Co., of Canton, Ohio. 

3. The coating shall be applied just as received from the manufacturer 
without any admixture. 

8, The material shall be carefully gone over before painting, and all Mill 
Scales, Rust and Grease thoroughly removed before the application of the paint. 

4. The work of corrugating shall be done prior to the application of the 
first coat of paint. 

5. The work of painting shall be carried out by hand, and the use of short 
bristle brushes is advisable, the coating being brushed out to a thin, even coat. 

6. The second coat shall be applied upon erection, under favorable condi- 
tions for painting ; all parts inaccessable after erection shall have the second 
coat prior to placing them in position. 

7. We shall furnish special inspection of the application of the painting. 

THE PAINTING OF GALVANIZED IRON. 

Difficulty has been experienced in getting ordinary paint to adhere satis- 
factorily to Galvanized surfaces ; in fact an ordinary linseed oil paint suitable 
for preserving and beautifying wood, iron or steel, does not meet the require- 
ments of galvanized iron. The combination of the zinc and tin and the acid 
baths the iron is subjected to in the process of manufacture has much to do with 
the repelling, sweating and pealing off of ordinary paint on galvanized surfaces. 
After continued experimenting and time testing, we introduced our "GaJranti.m^' 
which is prepared specially for galvanized work, and since its introduction 
about seven years ago, has fully verified all our claims for it, and is the only 
paint that will adhere satisfactorily for a lengthened period to galvanized iron. 

GALVANUM is made in two colors only, but as it forms a perfect base for 
repainting, any colored paint can be applied over it. 

In making out paint specifications for galvanized work, specify plainly 
"Galvanum," manufactured only by The Goheen Mfg. Co., Canton, Ohio. By 
so' doing you will have the only durable protective paint for galvanized work. 



-23- 



The Goheen Manufacturing Co* 

CANTON, OHIO, U, S. A. 

^ Only Makers of ^ 

CARBONIZING COATING 

For the Perfect Protection of Iron and Steel Construction* 



1 



Also Manufacturers of Technical Paints for All Purposes, Includingf 

Red Lead, White Lead, Carbon, Asphaltic, Iron Oxide, 

Magfnetic, Galvanum, Etc* 

Railroad Specifications and Special Formulas Given 

Careful Attention* 



Represented in 

NEW YORK CITY, 
PITTSBURG, 

CHICAGO, 

ST. LOUIS, 

DENVER, 

SAN FRANCISCO, 
PORTLAND. 

Address All Correspondence to 

THE GOHEEN MANUFACTURING CO., 
CANTON, OHIO, U. S. A. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
019 408 49© 1 



